Saturday, April 18, 2026
10 - 11:30am
Riverside Park
Registration encouraged

Event Description
Stroll with our Land Management staff to observe ephemerals and spring blooming native plants. Learn about their identifying characteristics and ecological role within the landscape. Ecosystems and their community dynamics change season to season, year after year. This class will discuss the importance of early season flowers, what visitors to expect at the blooms and how the plant community influences the dynamics of the park ecosystem. We will begin at the Urban Ecology Center building and walk on foot paths through the park natural areas. Participants can expect one and a half hours of walking. Paved routes are included for wheelchair accessibility.

Class topics:

- Native ephemeral and spring blooming plants: Learn what is blooming and for how long. 

- Fauna visitors: Understand the fauna- mammals, birds, and insects. Relationships that support and/or rely on these early blossoms.

- Plant purchasing: Discover where to purchase native ephemeral and spring blooming plants in your neck of the woods.

For questions about this program, please contact Riverside Park Land Manager, Jeremy Rappaport, at jrappaport@urbanecologycenter.org.

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is encouraged for this event.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.

Saturday, May 16, 2026
10 - 11:30am
Washington Park
Registration encouraged

Event Description
Stroll with our Land Management staff to observe ephemerals and spring blooming native plants. Learn about their identifying characteristics and ecological role within the landscape. Ecosystems and their community dynamics change season to season, year after year. This class will discuss the importance of early season flowers, what visitors to expect at the blooms and how the plant community influences the dynamics of the park ecosystem. We will begin at the Urban Ecology Center building and walk on foot paths through the park natural areas. Participants can expect one and a half hours of walking. Paved routes are included for wheelchair accessibility.

Class topics:

- Native ephemeral and spring blooming plants: Learn what is blooming and for how long. 

- Fauna visitors: Understand the fauna- mammals, birds, and insects. Relationships that support and/or rely on these early blossoms.

- Plant purchasing: Discover where to purchase native ephemeral and spring blooming plants in your neck of the woods.

For questions about this program, please contact Washington Park Land Manager, Sofia Cortez, at scortez@urbanecologycenter.org. 

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is encouraged for this event.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.